Principal
Dr. LaWanda S. Thornton
DR. LAWANDA S. THORNTON GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI WITH HER BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ENGLISH IN 1995. SHE RECEIVED HER MASTER OF EDUCATION IN 1998 AND HER GUIDANCE COUNSELOR CERTIFICATION IN 2008, BOTH FROM WILLIAM CAREY UNIVERSITY. SHE OBTAINED HER DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI IN 2012.
HER EDUCATIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE STARTED IN 1995 AS A HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER. DR. THORNTON WAS A SCHOOL COUNSELOR AND LEAD TEACHER IN THE GULFPORT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR 4 YEARS BEFORE BECOMING THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
AFTER BEING THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR 4 YEARS, DR.THORNTON IS NOW THE PRINCIPAL STARTING WITH THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR.
DR. THORNTON ENJOYS BEING AN ADMINISTRATOR BECAUSE SHE LOVES INSPIRING STUDENTS AND MOTIVATING THEM TO LIVE UP TO THEIR BEST POTENTIAL IN ALL AREAS OF THEIR LIVES. SHE ALSO FINDS IT EXCITING TO WORK WITH THE PHENOMENAL FACULTY, STAFF, AND PARENTS AT CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
DR. THORNTON IS READY TO ASSIST OUR SUPER SAILORS AS THEY PREPARE TO SAIL TO SUCCESS BECAUSE THEY ARE SAFE, ATTENTIVE, IN CONTROL, AND READY TO LEARN!